Exhibit No. EX-99.9(a)
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GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This AGREEMENT is effective , 200 , and is between JPMORGAN
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CHASE BANK ("Bank") and ("Customer").
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1. Customer Accounts.
Bank, acting as "Securities Intermediary" (as defined in Section 15(g)
hereof) shall establish and maintain the following accounts ("Accounts"):
(a) a Custody Account (as defined in Section 15(b) hereof) in the name of
Customer for Financial Assets, which shall, except as modified by Section 15(d)
hereof, mean stocks, shares, bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages or other
obligations for the payment of money, bullion, coin and any certificates,
receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase
or subscribe for the same or evidencing or representing any other rights or
interests therein and other similar property whether certificated or
uncertificated as may be received by Bank or its Subcustodian (as defined in
Section 3 hereof) for the account of Customer, including as an "Entitlement
Holder" as defined in Section 15(c) hereof); and
(b) an account in the name of Customer ("Deposit Account") for any and all
cash in any currency received by Bank or its Subcustodian for the account of
Customer, which cash shall not be subject to withdrawal by draft or check.
Customer warrants its authority to: 1) deposit the cash and Financial
Assets (collectively "Assets") received in the Accounts and 2) give Instructions
(as defined in Section 11 hereof) concerning the Accounts. Bank may deliver
Financial Assets of the same class in place of those deposited in the Custody
Account.
Upon written agreement between Bank and Customer, additional Accounts may
be established and separately accounted for as additional Accounts hereunder.
2. Maintenance of Financial Assets and Cash at Bank and Subcustodian
Locations.
Unless Instructions specifically require another location acceptable to
Bank:
(a) Financial Assets shall be held in the country or other jurisdiction in
which the principal trading market for such Financial Assets is located, where
such Financial Assets are to be presented for payment or where such Financial
Assets are acquired; and
(b) Cash shall be credited to an account in a country or other jurisdiction
in which such cash may be legally deposited or is the legal currency for the
payment of public or private debts. Cash will be held in the name of the Company
at Custodian's London Branch office ("London Branch") in either interest or
non-interest bearing cash accounts as the Company may instruct and as may be
available for the particular currency. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence,
cash held in respect of those markets where Company is required to have a cash
account in its own name held directly with the relevant Subcustodian shall be
held in that manner and shall not be part of any cash account with Custodian.
Any cash so deposited with London Branch shall be payable exclusively by London
Branch in the applicable currency, subject to compliance with any applicable
laws, regulations, governmental decrees or similar orders including, without
limitation, any restrictions on transactions in the applicable currency imposed
by the country of the applicable currency.
If Customer wishes to have any of its Assets held in the custody of an
institution other than the established Subcustodians as defined in Section 3 (or
their securities depositories), such arrangement must be authorized by a written
agreement, signed by Bank and Customer.
3. Subcustodians and Securities Depositories.
Bank may act hereunder through the subcustodians listed in Schedule A
hereof with which Bank has entered into subcustodial agreements
("Subcustodians"). Customer authorizes Bank to hold Assets in the Accounts in
accounts which Bank has established with one or more of its branches or
Subcustodians. Bank and Subcustodians are authorized to hold any of the
Financial Assets in their account with any securities depository in which they
participate.
Bank reserves the right to add new, replace or remove Subcustodians.
Customer shall be given reasonable notice by Bank of any amendment to Schedule
A. Upon request by Customer, Bank shall identify the name, address and principal
place of business of any Subcustodian of Customer's Assets and the name and
address of the governmental agency or other regulatory authority that supervises
or regulates such Subcustodian.
4. Use of Subcustodian.
(a) Bank shall identify the Assets on its books as belonging to Customer.
(b) A Subcustodian shall hold such Assets together with assets belonging to
other customers of Bank in accounts identified on such Subcustodian's books as
custody accounts for the exclusive benefit of customers of Bank.
(c) Except as may otherwise be required by local law or regulation, any
Financial Assets: (i) in the Accounts held by a Subcustodian shall be subject
only to the instructions of Bank
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or its agent; and (ii) held in a securities depository for the account of a
Subcustodian shall be subject only to the instructions of such Subcustodian.
(d) Any agreement Bank enters into with a Subcustodian for holding Bank's
customers' assets shall provide that such assets shall not be subject to any
right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such
Subcustodian or its creditors except a claim of payment for their safe custody
or administration or, in the case of cash deposits, except for liens or rights
in favor of creditors of the Subcustodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency
or similar laws, and that the beneficial ownership of such assets shall be
freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe
custody or administration. Where Securities are deposited by a Subcustodian with
a securities depository, Bank shall cause the Subcustodian to identify on its
books as belonging to Bank, as agent, the Securities shown on the Subcustodian's
account on the books of such securities depository. The foregoing shall not
apply to the extent of any special agreement or arrangement made by Customer
with any particular Subcustodian.
5. Deposit Account Transactions.
(a) Bank or its Subcustodians shall make payments from the Deposit Account
upon receipt of Instructions which include all information required by Bank.
(b) In the event that any payment to be made under this Section 5 exceeds
the funds available in the Deposit Account, Bank, in its discretion, may advance
Customer such excess amount which shall be deemed a loan payable on demand,
bearing interest at the rate customarily charged by Bank on similar loans.
(c) If Bank credits the Deposit Account on a payable date, or at any time
prior to actual collection and reconciliation to the Deposit Account, with
interest, dividends, redemptions or any other amount due, Customer shall
promptly return any such amount upon oral or written notification: (i) that such
amount has not been received in the ordinary course of business or (ii) that
such amount was incorrectly credited. If Customer does not promptly return any
amount upon such notification, Bank shall be entitled, upon oral or written
notification to Customer, to reverse such credit by debiting the Deposit Account
for the amount previously credited. Bank or its Subcustodian shall have no duty
or obligation to institute legal proceedings, file a claim or a proof of claim
in any insolvency proceeding or take any other action with respect to the
collection of such amount, but may act for Customer upon Instructions after
consultation with Customer.
6. Custody Account Transactions.
(a) Financial Assets shall be transferred, exchanged or delivered by Bank
or its Subcustodian upon receipt by Bank of Instructions which include all
information required by Bank. Settlement and payment for Financial Assets
received for, and delivery of Financial Assets out of, the Custody Account may
be made in accordance with the customary or established securities trading or
securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in
which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery of
Financial Assets to a purchaser, dealer or their agents against a receipt with
the expectation of receiving later payment and free delivery.
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Delivery of Financial Assets out of the Custody Account may also be made in any
manner specifically required by Instructions acceptable to Bank.
(b) Bank, in its discretion, may credit or debit the Accounts on a
contractual settlement date with cash or Financial Assets with respect to any
sale, exchange or purchase of Financial Assets. Otherwise, such transactions
shall be credited or debited to the Accounts on the date cash or Financial
Assets are actually received by Bank and reconciled to the Account.
(i) Bank may reverse credits or debits made to the Accounts in its
discretion if the related transaction fails to settle within a reasonable
period, determined by Bank in its discretion, after the contractual
settlement date for the related transaction.
(ii) If any Financial Assets delivered pursuant to this Section 6 are
returned by the recipient thereof, Bank may reverse the credits and debits
of the particular transaction at any time.
7. Actions of Bank.
Bank shall follow Instructions received regarding Assets held in the
Accounts. However, until it receives Instructions to the contrary, Bank shall:
(a) Present for payment any Financial Assets which are called, redeemed or
retired or otherwise become payable and all coupons and other income items which
call for payment upon presentation, to the extent that Bank or Subcustodian is
actually aware of such opportunities.
(b) Execute in the name of Customer such ownership and other certificates
as may be required to obtain payments in respect of Financial Assets.
(c) Exchange interim receipts or temporary Financial Assets for definitive
Financial Assets.
(d) Appoint brokers and agents for any transaction involving the Financial
Assets, including, without limitation, "Affiliates" of Bank or any Subcustodian.
(For purposes hereof, the term "Affiliate" shall mean an entity controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with, Bank.)
(e) Issue statements to Customer, at times mutually agreed upon,
identifying the Assets in the Accounts.
Bank shall send Customer an advice or notification of any transfers of
Assets to or from the Accounts. Such statements, advices or notifications shall
indicate the identity of the entity having custody of the Assets. Unless
Customer sends Bank a written exception or objection to any Bank statement
within sixty (60) days of receipt, Customer shall be deemed to have approved
such statement. In such event, or where Customer has otherwise approved any such
statement, Bank shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released, relieved and
discharged with respect to all matters
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set forth in such statement or reasonably implied therefrom as though it had
been settled by the decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in an action
where Customer and all persons having or claiming an interest in Customer or
Customer's Accounts were parties.
All collections of funds or other property paid or distributed in respect
of Financial Assets in the Custody Account shall be made at the risk of
Customer. Bank shall have no liability for any loss occasioned by delay in the
actual receipt of notice by Bank or by its Subcustodians of any payment,
redemption or other transaction regarding Financial Assets in the Custody
Account in respect of which Bank has agreed to take any action hereunder.
8. Corporate Actions; Proxies; Tax Reclaims.
(a) Corporate Actions. Whenever Bank receives information concerning the
Financial Assets which requires discretionary action by the beneficial owner of
the Financial Assets (other than a proxy), such as subscription rights, bonus
issues, stock repurchase plans and rights offerings, or legal notices or other
material intended to be transmitted to securities holders ("Corporate Actions"),
Bank shall give Customer notice of such Corporate Actions to the extent that
Bank's central corporate actions department has actual knowledge of a Corporate
Action in time to notify its customers.
When a rights entitlement or a fractional interest resulting from a rights
issue, stock dividend, stock split or similar Corporate Action is received which
bears an expiration date, Bank shall endeavor to obtain Instructions from
Customer or its Authorized Person (as defined in Section 10 hereof), but if
Instructions are not received in time for Bank to take timely action, or actual
notice of such Corporate Action was received too late to seek Instructions, Bank
is authorized to sell such rights entitlement or fractional interest and to
credit the Deposit Account with the proceeds or take any other action it deems,
in good faith, to be appropriate in which case it shall be held harmless for any
such action.
(b) Proxy Voting. Bank shall provide proxy voting services, if elected by
Customer, in accordance with the terms of the proxy voting services rider
hereto. Proxy voting services may be provided by Bank or, in whole or in part,
by one or more third parties appointed by Bank (which may be Affiliates of
Bank).
(c) Tax Reclaims.
(i) Subject to the provisions hereof, Bank shall apply for a reduction of
withholding tax and any refund of any tax paid or tax credits which apply
in each applicable market in respect of income payments on Financial Assets
for Customer's benefit which Bank believes may be available to Customer.
(ii) The provision of tax reclaim services by Bank is conditional upon
Bank's receiving from Customer or, to the extent the Financial Assets are
beneficially owned by others, from each beneficial owner, A) a declaration
of the beneficial owner's identity and place of residence and (B) certain
other documentation (pro
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forma copies of which are available from Bank). Customer acknowledges that,
if Bank does not receive such declarations, documentation and information,
Bank shall be unable to provide tax reclaim services.
(iii) Bank shall not be liable to Customer or any third party for any
taxes, fines or penalties payable by Bank or Customer, and shall be
indemnified accordingly, whether these result from the inaccurate
completion of documents by Customer or any third party, or as a result of
the provision to Bank or any third party of inaccurate or misleading
information or the withholding of material information by Customer or any
other third party, or as a result of any delay of any revenue authority or
any other matter beyond Bank's control.
(iv) Bank shall perform tax reclaim services only with respect to taxation
levied by the revenue authorities of the countries notified to Customer
from time to time and Bank may, by notification in writing, at Bank's
absolute discretion, supplement or amend the markets in which tax reclaim
services are offered. Other than as expressly provided in this sub-clause,
Bank shall have no responsibility with regard to Customer's tax position or
status in any jurisdiction.
(v) Customer confirms that Bank is authorized to disclose any information
requested by any revenue authority or any governmental body in relation to
Customer or the securities and/or cash held for Customer.
(vi) Tax reclaim services may be provided by Bank or, in whole or in part,
by one or more third parties appointed by Bank (which may be Bank's
affiliates); provided that Bank shall be liable for the performance of any
such third party to the same extent as Bank would have been if Bank had
performed such services.
(d) Tax Obligations.
(i) Customer confirms that Bank is authorized to deduct from any cash
received or credited to the Deposit Account any taxes or levies required by
any revenue or governmental authority for whatever reason in respect of the
Custody Account.
(ii) If Bank does not receive appropriate declarations, documentation and
information then additional United Kingdom taxation shall be deducted from
all income received in respect of the Financial Assets issued outside the
United Kingdom and any applicable United States withholding tax shall be
deducted from income received from the Financial Assets. Customer shall
provide to Bank such documentation and information as Bank may require in
connection with taxation, and warrants that, when given, this information
shall be true and correct in every respect, not misleading in any way, and
contain all material
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information. Customer undertakes to notify Bank immediately if any such
information requires updating or amendment.
(iii) Customer shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes relating
to the Financial Assets in the Custody Account, and Customer agrees to pay,
indemnify and hold Bank harmless from and against any and all liabilities,
penalties, interest or additions to tax with respect to or resulting from
any delay in, or failure by, Bank (1) to pay, withhold or report any U.S.
federal, state or local taxes or foreign taxes imposed on, or (2) to report
interest, dividend or other income paid or credited to the Deposit Account,
whether such failure or delay by Bank to pay, withhold or report tax or
income is the result of (x) Customer's failure to comply with the terms of
Sections 8(c) and (d), or (y) Bank's own acts or omissions; provided
however, Customer shall not be liable to Bank for any penalty or additions
to tax due as a result of Bank's failure to pay, withhold or report tax or
to report interest, dividend or other income paid or credited to the
Deposit Account solely as a result of Bank's negligent acts or omissions.
9. Nominees.
Financial Assets which are ordinarily held in registered form may be
registered in a nominee name of Bank, Subcustodian or securities depository, as
the case may be. Bank may without notice to Customer cause any such Financial
Assets to cease to be registered in the name of any such nominee and to be
registered in the name of Customer. In the event that any Financial Assets
registered in a nominee name are called for partial redemption by the issuer,
sBank may allot the called portion to the respective beneficial holders of such
class of security in any manner Bank deems to be fair and equitable. Customer
shall hold Bank, Subcustodians, and their respective nominees harmless from any
liability arising directly or indirectly from their status as a mere record
holder of Financial Assets in the Custody Account.
10. Authorized Persons.
As used herein, the term "Authorized Person" means employees or agents
including investment managers as have been designated by written notice from
Customer or its designated agent to act on behalf of Customer hereunder. Such
persons shall continue to be Authorized Persons until such time as Bank receives
Instructions from Customer or its designated agent that any such employee or
agent is no longer an Authorized Person.
11. Instructions.
The term "Instructions" means instructions of any Authorized Person
received by Bank, via telephone, telex, facsimile transmission, bank wire or
other teleprocess or electronic instruction or trade information system
acceptable to Bank which Bank believes in good faith to have been given by
Authorized Persons or which are transmitted with proper testing or
authentication pursuant to terms and conditions which Bank may specify. Unless
otherwise expressly provided, all Instructions shall continue in full force and
effect until canceled or superseded. The term
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"Instructions" includes, without limitation, instructions to sell, assign,
transfer, deliver, purchase or receive for the Custody Account, any and all
stocks, bonds and other Financial Assets or to transfer funds in the Deposit
Account.
Any Instructions delivered to Bank by telephone shall promptly thereafter
be confirmed in writing by an Authorized Person (which confirmation may bear the
facsimile signature of such Person), but Customer shall hold Bank harmless for
the failure of an Authorized Person to send such confirmation in writing, the
failure of such confirmation to conform to the telephone instructions received
or Bank's failure to produce such confirmation at any subsequent time. Bank may
electronically record any Instructions given by telephone, and any other
telephone discussions with respect to the Custody Account. Customer shall be
responsible for safeguarding any testkeys, identification codes or other
security devices which Bank shall make available to Customer or its Authorized
Persons.
12. Standard of Care; Liabilities.
(a) Bank shall be responsible for the performance of only such duties as
are set forth herein or expressly contained in Instructions which are consistent
with the provisions hereof as follows:
(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, Bank's
responsibilities shall be limited to the exercise of reasonable care with
respect to its obligations hereunder. Bank shall only be liable to Customer
for any loss which shall occur as the result of the failure of a
Subcustodian to exercise reasonable care with respect to the safekeeping of
such Assets where such loss results directly from the failure by the
Subcustodian to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services
by it in accordance with the standards prevailing in its local market or
from the willful default of such Subcustodian in the provision of custodial
services by it. In the event of any loss to Customer which is compensable
hereunder (i.e. a loss arising by reason of willful misconduct or the
failure of Bank or its Subcustodian to use reasonable care), Bank shall be
liable to Customer only to the extent of Customer's direct damages, to be
determined based on the market value of the property which is the subject
of the loss at the date of discovery of such loss and without reference to
any special conditions or circumstances. Bank shall have no liability
whatsoever for any consequential, special, indirect or speculative loss or
damages (including, but not limited to, lost profits) suffered by Customer
in connection with the transactions and services contemplated hereby and
the relationship established hereby even if Bank has been advised as to the
possibility of the same and regardless of the form of the action.
(ii) Bank shall not be responsible for the insolvency of any
Subcustodian which is not a branch or Affiliate of Bank. Bank shall not be
responsible for any act, omission, default or the solvency of any broker or
agent which it or a Subcustodian appoints unless such appointment was made
negligently or in bad faith.
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(iii) (A) Customer shall indemnify and hold Bank and its directors,
officers, agents and employees (collectively the "Indemnitees") harmless
from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, fines,
penalties, and expenses, including out-of-pocket and incidental expenses
and legal fees ("Losses") that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted
against, the Indemnitees or any of them for following any instructions or
other directions upon which Bank is authorized to rely pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement. (B) In addition to and not in limitation of the
preceding subparagraph, Customer shall also indemnify and hold the
Indemnitees and each of them harmless from and against any and all Losses
that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against, the Indemnitees
or any of them in connection with or arising out of Bank's performance
under this Agreement, provided the Indemnitees have not acted with
negligence or engaged in willful misconduct. (C) In performing its
obligations hereunder, Bank may rely on the genuineness of any document
which it believes in good faith to have been validly executed.
(iv) Customer shall pay for and hold Bank harmless from any liability
or loss resulting from the imposition or assessment of any taxes or other
governmental charges, and any related expenses, with respect to income from
or Assets in the Accounts.
(v) Bank shall be entitled to rely, and may act, upon the advice of
counsel (who may be counsel for Customer) on all matters and shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to
such advice.
(vi) Bank need not maintain any insurance for the benefit of Customer.
(vii) Without limiting the foregoing, Bank shall not be liable for any
loss which results from: 1) the general risk of investing, or 2) investing
or holding Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to,
losses resulting from malfunction, interruption of or error in the
transmission of information caused by any machines or system or
interruption of communication facilities, abnormal operating conditions,
nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; regulation of
the banking or securities industry; currency restrictions, devaluations or
fluctuations; and market conditions which prevent the orderly execution of
securities transactions or affect the value of Assets.
(viii) Neither party shall be liable to the other for any loss due to
forces beyond their control including, but not limited to strikes or work
stoppages, acts of war (whether declared or undeclared) or terrorism,
insurrection, revolution, nuclear fusion, fission or radiation, or acts of
God.
(b) Consistent with and without limiting the first paragraph of this
Section 12, it is specifically acknowledged that Bank shall have no duty or
responsibility to:
(i) question Instructions or make any suggestions to Customer or an
Authorized Person regarding such Instructions;
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(ii) supervise or make recommendations with respect to investments or
the retention of Financial Assets;
(iii) advise Customer or an Authorized Person regarding any default in
the payment of principal or income of any security other than as provided
in Section 5(c) hereof;
(iv) evaluate or report to Customer or an Authorized Person regarding
the financial condition of any broker, agent or other party to which
Financial Assets are delivered or payments are made pursuant hereto; and
(v) review or reconcile trade confirmations received from brokers.
Customer or its Authorized Persons issuing Instructions shall bear any
responsibility to review such confirmations against Instructions issued to
and statements issued by Bank.
(c) Customer authorizes Bank to act hereunder notwithstanding that Bank or
any of its divisions or Affiliates may have a material interest in a
transaction, or circumstances are such that Bank may have a potential conflict
of duty or interest including the fact that Bank or any of its Affiliates may
provide brokerage services to other customers, act as financial advisor to the
issuer of Financial Assets, act as a lender to the issuer of Financial Assets,
act in the same transaction as agent for more than one customer, have a material
interest in the issue of Financial Assets, or earn profits from any of the
activities listed herein.
13. Fees and Expenses.
Customer shall pay Bank for its services hereunder the fees set forth in
Schedule B hereto or such other amounts as may be agreed upon in writing,
together with Bank's reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, including,
but not limited to, legal fees. Bank shall have a lien on and is authorized to
charge any Accounts of Customer for any amount owing to Bank under any provision
hereof.
14. Miscellaneous.
(a) Foreign Exchange Transactions. To facilitate the administration of
Customer's trading and investment activity, when instructed by specific or
standing Instruction, Bank is authorized to enter into spot or forward foreign
exchange contracts with Customer or an Authorized Person for Customer and may
also provide foreign exchange through its subsidiaries, Affiliates or
Subcustodians. Instructions, may be issued with respect to such contracts but
Bank may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility
made available. In all cases where Bank, its subsidiaries, Affiliates or
Subcustodians enter into a separate master foreign exchange contract with
Customer that covers foreign exchange transactions for the Accounts, the terms
and conditions of that foreign exchange contract, and to the extent not
inconsistent, this Agreement, shall apply to such transactions.
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(b) Certification of Residency, etc. Customer certifies that it is a
resident of the United States and shall notify Bank of any changes in residency.
Bank may rely upon this certification or the certification of such other facts
as may be required to administer Bank's obligations hereunder. Customer shall
indemnify Bank against all losses, liability, claims or demands arising directly
or indirectly from any such certifications.
(c) Access to Records. Bank shall allow Customer's independent public
accountant reasonable access to the records of Bank relating to Financial Assets
as is required in connection with their examination of books and records
pertaining to Customer's affairs. Subject to restrictions under applicable law,
Bank shall also obtain an undertaking to permit Customer's independent public
accountants reasonable access to the records of any Subcustodian which has
physical possession of any Financial Assets as may be required in connection
with the examination of Customer's books and records.
(d) Governing Law; Successors and Assigns; Immunity; Captions. THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO
AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN NEW YORK and shall not be assignable by
either party, but shall bind the successors in interest of Customer and Bank. To
the extent that in any jurisdiction Customer may now or hereafter be entitled to
claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment
(before or after judgment) or other legal process, Customer irrevocably shall
not claim, and it hereby waives, such immunity. The captions given to the
sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only
and are not to be used to interpret this Agreement.
(e) Entire Agreement; Applicable Riders. Customer represents that the
Assets deposited in the Accounts are (Check one):
- Investment Company assets subject to certain U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission rules and regulations;
- Other (specify)
This Agreement consists exclusively of this document together with
Schedules A and B, Exhibits I - [ ] and the following Rider(s) [Check
applicable rider(s)]:
- INVESTMENT COMPANY
- PROXY VOTING
- SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
There are no other provisions hereof and this Agreement supersedes any
other agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties. Any amendment
hereto must be in writing, executed by both parties.
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(f) Severability. In the event that one or more provisions hereof are held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis of any particular
circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability
of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or in other
jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected
or impaired.
(g) Waiver. Except as otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay on the
part of either party in exercising any power or right hereunder operates as a
waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude
any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right. No
waiver by a party of any provision hereof, or waiver of any breach or default,
is effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver
is to be enforced.
(h) Representations and Warranties. (i) Customer hereby represents and
warrants to Bank that: (A) it has full authority and power to deposit and
control the Financial Assets and cash deposited in the Accounts; (B) it has all
necessary authority to use Bank as its custodian; (C) this Agreement constitutes
its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its
terms; (D) it has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution and
delivery hereof. (E) it shall have full authority and power to borrow moneys and
enter into foreign exchange transactions; and (F) it has not relied on any oral
or written representation made by Bank or any person on its behalf, and
acknowledges that this Agreement sets out to the fullest extent the duties of
Bank. (ii) Bank hereby represents and warrants to Customer that: (A) it has the
full power and authority to perform its obligations hereunder, (B) this
Agreement constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in
accordance with its terms; and (C) it has taken all necessary action to
authorize the execution and delivery hereof.
(i) Notices. All notices hereunder shall be effective when actually
received. Any notices or other communications which may be required hereunder
are to be sent to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses
as may subsequently be given to the other party in writing: (a) Bank: JPMorgan
Chase Bank, 0 Xxxxx XxxxxXxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000, Attention: Global
Investor Services, Investment Management Group; and (b) Customer:
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(j) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by Customer or Bank by
giving sixty (60) days' written notice to the other, provided that such notice
to Bank shall specify the names of the persons to whom Bank shall deliver the
Assets in the Accounts. If notice of termination is given by Bank, Customer
shall, within sixty (60) days following receipt of the notice, deliver to Bank
Instructions specifying the names of the persons to whom Bank shall deliver the
Assets. In either case Bank shall deliver the Assets to the persons so
specified, after deducting any amounts which Bank determines in good faith to be
owed to it under Section 13. If within sixty (60) days following receipt of a
notice of termination by Bank, Bank does not receive Instructions from Customer
specifying the names of the persons to whom Bank shall deliver the Assets, Bank,
at its election, may deliver the Assets to a bank or trust company doing
business in the State of New
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York to be held and disposed of pursuant to the provisions hereof, or to
Authorized Persons, or may continue to hold the Assets until Instructions are
provided to Bank.
(k) Money Laundering. Customer warrants and undertakes to Bank for itself
and its agents that all Customer's customers are properly identified in
accordance with U.S. Money Laundering regulations and guidelines as in effect
from time to time.
(l) Imputation of certain information. Bank shall not be held responsible
for and shall not be required to have regard to information held by any person
by imputation or information of which Bank is not aware by virtue of a "Chinese
Wall" arrangement. If Bank becomes aware of confidential information which in
good faith it feels inhibits it from effecting a transaction hereunder Bank may
refrain from effecting it.
(m) Information Concerning Deposits at London Branch. London Branch is a
member of the United Kingdom Deposit Protection Scheme (the "Scheme")
established under Banking Xxx 0000 (as amended). The Scheme provides that in the
event of Custodian's insolvency payments may be made to certain customers of
London Branch. Payments under the Scheme are limited to 90% of a depositor's
total cash deposits subject to a maximum payment to any one depositor of
(pound)18,000 (or 20,000 euros if greater). Most deposits denominated in
sterling and other European Economic Area Currencies and euros made with
Custodian within the United Kingdom are covered. (Further details of the Scheme
are available upon request.)
(ii) In the event that Custodian incurs a loss attributable to Country Risk
(as defined in the Investment Company rider hereto) with respect to any cash
balance it maintains on deposit at a Subcustodian or other correspondent bank in
regard to its global custody or trust businesses in the country where the
Subcustodian or other correspondent bank is located, Custodian may set such loss
off against Company's Cash Account to the extent that such loss is directly
attributable to Company's investments in that market and, to the extent that
such loss is not directly attributable to any of Custodian's customers'
investments in that market, Custodian may set such loss off in a pro-rata manner
against its customers' cash account holdings in that currency, including such
holdings in Company's Cash Account.
15. Definitions.
As used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning hereinafter
stated:
a) "Certificated Security" shall mean a security that is represented by a
certificate.
b) "Custody Account" shall mean each Securities custody account on Bank's
records to which Financial Assets are or may be credited pursuant hereto.
c) "Entitlement Holder" shall mean the person on the records of a Securities
Intermediary as the person having a Securities Entitlement against the
Securities Intermediary.
13
d) "Financial Asset" shall mean, as the context requires, either the asset
itself or the means by which a person's claim to it is evidenced, including
a Certificated Security or Uncertificated Security, a security certificate,
or a Securities Entitlement. Financial Assets shall not include cash.
e) "Securities" shall mean stocks, bonds, rights, warrants and other
negotiable and non-negotiable paper whether issued as Certificated
Securities or Uncertificated Securities and commonly traded or dealt in on
securities exchanges or financial markets, and other obligations of an
issuer, or shares, participations and interests in an issuer recognized in
an area in which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment and
any other property as shall be acceptable to Bank for the Custody Account.
f) "Securities Entitlement" shall mean the rights and property interest of an
Entitlement Holder with respect to a Financial Asset as set forth in Part 5
of the Uniform Commercial Code.
g) "Securities Intermediary" shall mean Bank, a Subcustodian, a securities
depository, and any other financial institution which in the ordinary
course of business maintains custody accounts for others and acts in that
capacity.
h) "Uncertificated Security" shall mean a security that is not represented by
a certificate.
i) "Uniform Commercial Code" shall mean Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial
Code of the State of New York, as the same may be amended from time to
time.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date first-above written.
CUSTOMER
By:
----------------------------------------
Title:
Date:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
By:
----------------------------------------
Title:
Date:
14
15
STATE OF )
: ss.
COUNTY OF )
On this day of , 200 , before me personally came
------ --------------------- --
, to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did depose
-----------------------
and say that he/she resides in at ,
-------------------- -------------------------
that he/she is of , the
-------------------------- ------------------------------
entity described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he/she
knows the seal of said entity, that the seal affixed to said instrument is such
seal, that it was so affixed by order of said entity, and that he/she signed
his/her name thereto by like order.
Sworn to before me this
day of , 200 .
-------------- --
Notary
STATE OF NEW YORK )
: ss.
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
On this day of , 200 , before me personally
---------- --------------------- --
came , to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he/she
resides in at ; that he/she is
-------------------------------------------
a Vice President of JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, the corporation described in and which
executed the foregoing instrument; that he/she knows the seal of said
corporation, that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal,
that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors of said corporation,
and that he/she signed his/her name thereto by like order.
Sworn to before me this
-------------------
day of , 200 .
---------------- --
Notary
Investment Company Rider to Global Custody Agreement
Between JPMorgan Chase Bank and
-----------------------------------------
effective
------------------
The following modifications are made to the Agreement:
I. Add the following after the first sentence of Section 3 of the
Agreement:
At the request of Customer, Bank may, but need not, add to Schedule A an
Eligible Foreign Custodian (as hereinafter defined) where Bank has not
acted as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the selection thereof.
Bank shall notify Customer in the event that it elects to add any such
entity.
II. Add the following language to the end of Section 3 of the Agreement:
The term Subcustodian as used herein shall mean the following:
(a) a "U.S. Bank," which shall mean a U.S. bank as defined in rule
17f-5(a)(7); and
(b) an "Eligible Foreign Custodian," which, as defined in rule 17f-5(a)(1)
and (5), shall mean (i) a banking institution or trust company,
incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United
States, that is regulated as such by that country's government or an agency
thereof, and (ii) a majority-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of a U.S.
Bank or bank holding company which subsidiary is incorporated or organized
under the laws of a country other than the United States. In addition, an
Eligible Foreign Custodian shall also mean any other entity that shall have
been so qualified by exemptive order, rule or other appropriate action of
the SEC.
The term "securities depository" as used herein shall mean the following,
when referring to a securities depository located:
(a) outside the U.S., an "Eligible Securities Depository" which, in turn,
shall have the same meaning as in rule 17f-7(b)(1)(i)-(vi) as the same may
be amended from time to time, or that has otherwise been made exempt by an
SEC exemptive order, rule other appropriate SEC action, except that prior
to the compliance date with rule 17f-7 for a particular securities
depository the term "securities depository" shall be as defined in
(a)(1)(ii)-(iii) of the 1997 amendments to rule 17f-5; and
(b) in the U.S., shall mean a "securities depository" as defined in SEC
rule 17f-4(a).
For purposes of provisions of the Agreement imposing liability on Bank, the
term Subcustodian shall not include any Eligible Foreign Custodian as to
which Bank has not
acted as Foreign Custody Manager. For purposes of clarity, the term
Subcustodian shall not include any securities depository."
III. Add the following language to the end of the first sentence of Section
4(d) of the Agreement: "or, in the case of cash deposits, except for liens or
rights in favor of creditors of the Subcustodian arising under bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar laws."
IV. Add a new Section 16 to the Agreement as follows:
16. Compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission rule 17f-5 ("rule
17f-5").
(a) Customer's board of directors (or equivalent body) (hereinafter
"Board") hereby delegates to Bank, and Bank hereby accepts the delegation to it
of, the obligation to perform as Customer's "Foreign Custody Manager" (as that
term is defined in rule 17f-5(a)(3)), including for the purposes of: (i)
selecting Eligible Foreign Custodians (as that term is defined in rule
17f-5(a)(1), as the same may be amended from time to time, or that have
otherwise been exempted by SEC exemptive order, rule other appropriate SEC
action) to hold Customer's foreign Financial Assets and Cash (collectively,
"Foreign Assets"), (ii) evaluating the contractual arrangements with such
Eligible Foreign Custodians (as set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(2)), and (iii)
monitoring such foreign custody arrangements (as set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(3)).
(b) In connection with the foregoing, Bank shall:
(i) provide written reports notifying Customer's Board of the placement of
Foreign Assets with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and of any
material change in the arrangements with such Eligible Foreign Custodians,
with such reports to be provided to Customer's Board at such times as the
Board deems reasonable and appropriate based on the circumstances of
Customer's foreign custody arrangements but until further notice from
Customer requesting a different schedule, such reports shall be provided
not less than quarterly in summary form, with a more detailed report
annually.
(ii) exercise such reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing as
Customer's Foreign Custody Manager as a person having responsibility for
the safekeeping of Foreign Assets would exercise;
(iii) in selecting an Eligible Foreign Custodian, first have determined
that Foreign Assets placed and maintained in the safekeeping of such
Eligible Foreign Custodian shall be subject to reasonable care, based on
the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, after having
considered all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such Assets,
including, without limitation, those factors set forth in rule
17f-5(c)(1)(i)-(iv);
(iv) determine that the written contract with the Eligible Foreign
Custodian requires that the Eligible Foreign Custodian will provide
reasonable care for Foreign Assets based on the standards applicable to
custodians in the relevant market as provided in rule 17f-5(c)(2); and
2
(v) have established a system to monitor the continued appropriateness of
maintaining Foreign Assets with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and
performance of the governing contractual arrangements; it being understood,
however, that in the event that Bank shall have determined that the
existing Eligible Foreign Custodian in a given country would no longer
afford Foreign Assets reasonable care and that no other Eligible Foreign
Custodian in that country would afford reasonable care, Bank shall promptly
so advise Customer and shall then act in accordance with the Instructions
of Customer with respect to the disposition of the affected Foreign Assets.
Subject to (b)(i)-(v) above, Bank is hereby authorized to place and maintain
Foreign Assets on behalf of Customer with Eligible Foreign Custodians pursuant
to a written contract deemed appropriate by Bank.
(c) Except as expressly provided herein and in Section 17 hereof, Customer
shall be solely responsible to assure that the maintenance of Foreign Assets
hereunder complies with the rules, regulations, interpretations and exemptive
orders promulgated by or under the authority of the SEC.
(d) Bank represents to Customer that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in rule
17f-5(a)(7). Customer represents to Bank that: (1) the Assets being placed and
maintained in Bank's custody are subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the "1940 Act") as the same may be amended from time to time; (2)
its Board (or other governing body) has determined that it is reasonable to rely
on Bank to perform as Customer's Foreign Custody Manager; and (3) its Board (or
other governing body) or its investment adviser shall have determined that
Customer may maintain Foreign Assets in each country in which Customer's Foreign
Assets shall be held hereunder and determined to accept the risks arising
therefrom (including, but not limited to, a country's financial infrastructure,
prevailing custody and settlement practices, laws applicable to the safekeeping
and recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody, and the likelihood of
nationalization, currency controls and the like) (collectively ("Country
Risk")). Nothing contained herein shall require Bank to make any selection on
behalf of Customer that would entail consideration of Country Risk and, except
as may be provided in (e) below, to engage in any monitoring of Country Risk.
(e) Bank shall provide to Customer such information relating to Country
Risk as is specified in Appendix 1-A hereto. Customer hereby acknowledges that:
(i) such information is solely designed to inform Customer of market conditions
and procedures and is not intended as a recommendation to invest or not invest
in particular markets; and (ii) Bank has gathered the information from sources
it considers reliable, but that Bank shall have no responsibility for
inaccuracies or incomplete information.
V. Add a new Section 17 to the Agreement as follows:
17. Compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission rule 17f-7 ("rule
17f-7").
3
(a) Bank shall, for consideration by Customer, provide an analysis in
accordance with rule 17f-7(a)(1)(i)(A) of the custody risks associated with
maintaining Customer's Foreign Assets with each Eligible Securities Depository
used by Bank as of the date hereof (or, in the case of an Eligible Securities
Depository not used by Bank as of the date hereof, prior to the initial
placement of Customer's Foreign Assets at such Depository) and at which any
Foreign Assets of Customer are held or are expected to be held. The foregoing
analysis will be provided to Customer at Bank's Website. In connection with the
foregoing, Customer shall notify Bank of any Eligible Securities Depositories at
which it does not choose to have its Foreign Assets held. Bank shall monitor the
custody risks associated with maintaining Customer's Foreign Assets at each such
Eligible Securities Depository on a continuing basis and shall promptly notify
Customer or its adviser of any material changes in such risks.
(b) Bank shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in
performing the requirements set forth in Section 17(a) above.
(c) Based on the information available to it in the exercise of diligence,
Bank shall determine the eligibility under rule 17f-7(b)(1) of each depository
before including it on Appendix 1-B hereto and shall promptly advise Customer if
any Eligible Securities Depository ceases to be eligible. (Eligible Securities
Depositories used by Bank as of the date hereof are set forth in Appendix 1-B
hereto, and as the same may be amended on notice to Customer from time to time.)
(d) Bank need not commence performing any of the duties set forth in this
Section 17 prior to March 31, 2001, but Bank shall advise Customer if it is
prepared to commence such duties prior to such date as to particular
depositories.
4
Appendix 1-A
Information Regarding Country Risk
1. To aid Customer in its determinations regarding Country Risk, Bank shall
furnish annually and upon the initial placing of Foreign Assets into a country
the following information (check items applicable):
A Opinions of local counsel concerning:
/ / i. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the access afforded
Customer's independent public accountants to books and records kept by
an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in that country.
/ / ii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Customer's ability
to recover its assets in the event of the bankruptcy of an Eligible
Foreign Custodian located in that country.
/ / iii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Customer's ability
to recover assets that are lost while under the control of an Eligible
Foreign Custodian located in the country.
B. Written information concerning:
/ / i. The likelihood of expropriation, nationalization, freezes, or
confiscation of Customer's assets.
/ / ii. Whether difficulties in converting Customer's cash and cash
equivalents to U.S. dollars are reasonably foreseeable.
C. A market report with respect to the following topics:
(i) securities regulatory environment, (ii) foreign ownership restrictions,
(iii) foreign exchange, (iv) securities settlement and registration, (v)
taxation, (vi) market settlement risk, (vii) Eligible Securities
Depositories (including Depository evaluation), if any.
2. Bank shall furnish the following additional information:
Market flashes, including with respect to changes in the information in
market reports.
Appendix 1-B
ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES
GLOBAL PROXY SERVICE RIDER
To Global Custody Agreement
Between
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
AND
------------------------------------
dated 200 .
-------------- --
1. Global Proxy Services ("Proxy Services") shall be provided for the
countries listed in the procedures and guidelines ("Procedures") furnished
to Customer, as the same may be amended by Bank from time to time on prior
notice to Customer. The Procedures are incorporated by reference herein and
form a part of this Rider.
2. Proxy Services shall consist of those elements as set forth in the
Procedures, and shall include (a) notifications ("Notifications") by Bank
to Customer of the dates of pending shareholder meetings, resolutions to be
voted upon and the return dates as may be received by Bank or provided to
Bank by its Subcustodians or third parties, and (b) voting by Bank of
proxies based on Customer Instructions. Original proxy materials or copies
thereof shall not be provided. Notifications shall generally be in English
and, where necessary, shall be summarized and translated from such
non-English materials as have been made available to Bank or its
Subcustodian. In this respect Bank's only obligation is to provide
information from sources it believes to be reliable and/or to provide
materials summarized and/or translated in good faith. Bank reserves the
right to provide Notifications, or parts thereof, in the language received.
Upon reasonable advance request by Customer, backup information relative to
Notifications, such as annual reports, explanatory material concerning
resolutions, management recommendations or other material relevant to the
exercise of proxy voting rights shall be provided as available, but without
translation.
3. While Bank shall attempt to provide accurate and complete Notifications,
whether or not translated, Bank shall not be liable for any losses or other
consequences that may result from reliance by Customer upon Notifications
where Bank prepared the same in good faith.
4 Notwithstanding the fact that Bank may act in a fiduciary capacity with
respect to Customer under other agreements or otherwise under the
Agreement, in performing Proxy Services Bank shall be acting solely as the
agent of Customer, and shall not exercise any discretion with regard to
such Proxy Services.
5. Proxy voting may be precluded or restricted in a variety of circumstances,
including, without limitation, where the relevant Financial Assets are: (i)
on loan; (ii) at registrar for registration or reregistration; (iii) the
subject of a conversion or other corporate action; (iv) not held in a name
subject to the control of Bank or its Subcustodian or are otherwise held in
a manner which precludes voting; (v) not capable of being voted on account
of local
market regulations or practices or restrictions by the issuer; or (vi) held
in a margin or collateral account.
6 Customer acknowledges that in certain countries Bank may be unable to vote
individual proxies but shall only be able to vote proxies on a net basis
(e.g., a net yes or no vote given the voting instructions received from all
customers).
7. Customer shall not make any use of the information provided hereunder,
except in connection with the funds or plans covered hereby, and shall in
no event sell, license, give or otherwise make the information provided
hereunder available, to any third party, and shall not directly or
indirectly compete with Bank or diminish the market for Proxy Services by
provision of such information, in whole or in part, for compensation or
otherwise, to any third party.
8. The names of Authorized Persons for Proxy Services shall be furnished to
Bank in accordance with (s).10 of the Agreement. Proxy Services fees shall
be as set forth in (s).13 of the Agreement or as separately agreed.
2
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS RIDER
GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
WITH
------------------------------------
DATE
------------------------------------
DOMESTIC ONLY
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS RIDER
Domestic Corporate Actions and Proxies
With respect to domestic U.S. and Canadian Financial Assets (the latter if held
in DTC), the following provisions shall apply rather than the provisions of
Section 8 of the Agreement and the Global Proxy Service rider:
Bank shall send to Customer or the Authorized Person for a Custody Account,
such proxies (signed in blank, if issued in the name of Bank's nominee or
the nominee of a central depository) and communications with respect to
Financial Assets in the Custody Account as call for voting or relate to
legal proceedings within a reasonable time after sufficient copies are
received by Bank for forwarding to its customers. In addition, Bank shall
follow coupon payments, redemptions, exchanges or similar matters with
respect to Financial Assets in the Custody Account and advise Customer or
the Authorized Person for such Account of rights issued, tender offers or
any other discretionary rights with respect to such Financial Assets, in
each case, of which Bank has received notice from the issuer of the
Financial Assets, or as to which notice is published in publications
routinely utilized by Bank for this purpose.
Fees
The fees referenced in Section 13 hereof cover only domestic and euro-dollar
holdings. There shall be no Schedule A hereto, as there are no foreign assets in
the Accounts.
DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS RIDER
Domestic Corporate Actions and Proxies
With respect to domestic U.S. and Canadian Financial Assets (the latter if held
in DTC), the following provisions shall apply rather than the pertinent
provisions of Section 8 of the Agreement and the Global Proxy Service rider:
Bank shall send to Customer or the Authorized Person for a Custody
Account, such proxies (signed in blank, if issued in the name of Bank's nominee
or the nominee of a central depository) and communications with respect to
Financial Assets in the Custody Account as call for voting or relate to legal
proceedings within a reasonable time after sufficient copies are received by
Bank for forwarding to its customers. In addition, Bank shall follow coupon
payments, redemptions, exchanges or similar matters with respect to Financial
Assets in the Custody Account and advise Customer or the Authorized Person for
such Account of rights issued, tender offers or any other discretionary rights
with respect to such Financial Assets, in each case, of which Bank has received
notice from the issuer of the Financial Assets, or as to which notice is
published in publications routinely utilized by Bank for this purpose.
